Amusement apparatus.



E., KOHM-3R. AMUSEMENT APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 17, 1910.

Patented Dec. 20, 1910.

4 sHEBTssHEET 1.

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ATTORNEYS E. KHLER..

AMUSBMENT APPARATUS.

APPLIoATIoN FILED AUG. 17, 1910.-

Patentedl vDec'. 20, 1910.

y E. KOHLER. \,AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

APPLIO'ATION FILED AUG. 17, 1910.

Patented Dec. 20, 1910.

v4 SHEETS-SHEET s.

snmcrorl. D- v E. KOHLBR.

AMUSEMBNT APPARATUS.

979, c APPLIU-ATION FILED AUG. 17, 1910. Patented Dec. 20

WIT/1158858." l/Vl/EIVTUH m ATTORNEYS ms Namus PETER: co.. wAsmNnm/J. n. l

retratar eration ERNEST KHLER, OF ALAMEDA, CLEFORNI, ASSIGNOE 0F SNE-HALF TO JOHN ALLE- MANN, OF ALAMEDA, CALIFORNA.

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that l. ERNEST KOHLER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Alameda, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented a new and Improved Amusement Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

Among the principal objects which the present invention has in view are: to provide an apparatus of the character Stated wherein are employed wheel-carried cars, the bodies having an axial movement, and meansV disposed at irregular intervals for rotating the said cars alternately in opposite directions; to provide an elevated path for said cars, inclined transversely at intervals to cause the bodies of said cars to contact with the sides thereof; to provide a variety of scenic eifects viewable from the said cars; and to provide illumination devices designed to impress the passengers in said cars as traveling in subterranean or shaft-like passages.

One embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in the structure illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like characters of reference denote corresponding parts in all the views, and in whichh Figure 1 is a general view of an apparatus constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a detail view, in side elevation, showing the general arrangement for the inclined chute and supporting structure therefor; Fig. 3 is a detail view of a section of the chute, showing the wheel straightening' means therein employed; Fig. e( is a detail view, in vertical cross section, of the chute taken ou the line 4 4 in Fig. I3, and showing in conjunction therewith a passenger carrying car; Fig. 5 is a detail view in plan, of a section of the chute wherein are employed auxiliary amusing devices to be operated by the passing car; Fig. 6 is a detail view, on an enlarged scale and in plan, of the entrance platform and elevator for the cars; Fig. 7 is a detail view in vertical section, of a car and the top of the inclined chute, shown in conjunction with the car about to be delivered to the chute; and Fig. 8 is a detail view, on an enlarged scale and in cross tion, of the chute and a passenger carrying car contained and mounted therein.

In the present invention, for the ordinary Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led August 17, 1910.

Patented Dec. 20, 1910.

Serial No. 577,596.

inclined railway tracks is substituted a boxlike trough or chute 13. The chute 13 is, as shown in Fig. 2 of t-he drawings, mounted on a supporting structure or trestle, and is inclined from the upper or receiving end to the lower or finishing end of the track. The chute is provided with a flat floor 1&1, throughout the major portion of its extension, being interspersed by sections having a raised central ridge 15, the oilice whereof is to straighten or correct the arrangement of the carrying wheels of the car which runs in the chute. To assist in this otiice there are disposed at each side of the ridge 15 inclined sides 16, 16, forming between the ridge and inclined sides straight track sections 17. At certain points intermediate the start and finish of the inclined track, the chute is inclined transversely to one side or the other, as the design and purpose of the builder dictate. The construction of the trestle 18 is optional, any approved construction being adopted. The trestlc 18 and chute 13 are arranged with reference to a scenic structure, substantially as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

1t is the purpose of the present invention to produce the effect of a rapid and confusing ride, interspersed with pleasing views of scenery at certain open spaces, and of tunnel passages in certain other spaces. The construction of the scenery is optional, any approved method and design being employed.

The cars for the conveyance of passengers are constructed substantially as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings: the body portion 19 is a cylindrical tub-like struct-ure, having formed therein a scat bench 20, and provided with suitable upholstering 21. Centrally mounted, and upon a standard 22, is a hand wheel 2?, by gripping which the passengers steady themselves in the car during the gyration or drop thereof. The car is mounted on caster wheels 24, 24. The wheels 24, 24 are mounted in any suitable bearings, sensitive or slow, as desired. Being caster Wheels they dispose themselves quickly to follow the direction of impulse of the car, whether the same be revolved on its own axis or carried without revolution down the chute 13.

The body 19 of the car is of less diameter than the width of the chute 13. Mounted upon the side of the body 19 is a set of fixed fender rings 25, 25. A second set of fender rings 2G, 26 is supported on the body 19 and extended from the sides thereof. The rings 26, 2G have a bearingon hollolved or Waisted bearing1 rollers 2T, 27. The rollers 2l', 27 are so constructed and al'I anged that While rollingl they produce a dragv upon the rings 2G, 26. At intervals lnore or less erratic, are disposed tender plates 2S, llle plates 28, 28 are tolnled in dillerent lengtl'ls. Two sets of lL-lle plates are elllployed, one set being` alined in the palll ot the rings Q6, as shown in Fig. S of tie dawings, and tile other set being` alined lvitll ille rings 25, y lnterspersed on tile chute, at will, and ex tended inwardly troni tlle side thereol'f, are alnnselnent devices 29, 29. These devices are of various character, soule sound producingas a bell, others sound producingl as a horn, others elllployed for shiftingl scenes, and yet others for autonlatically producing and e "elsing` illuminating ettects. The ope 'ative devices, such as the levers 30, lOl lor actuating the devices 29, l, are `Xteneed into the path oit the body ll), and preferably in the path ol" the rings and 2G.

'llle cars are litted to the starting point 3l by nie-ans of all elevator ',l`lle elevator is provided vlvitll all inclined platitorlll and a hoisting cable 3l. ille lne-ans it'or opertdinp4 the elevator are ot any ap proved design.

The apparatus is l'liovided lvitll a pas- .'enger receiving plattornl 35, as seen ill ilig. ol' the oralvinp/js. lll polver horse is lso provided to operate tlle elevator drlillns 7 37. ,llt the upper end, or starting point li the chute is enlarged to liornl a double :s: om

l lssaege calling trolll el cli ot' tlle platlfol'nls ll 239, tlle passages beil divided by a partit (n wall 38. ,l`lle distance between ille l l "w and tlle side ot' tlle clluto 13 is soule- Vi l vlll oo lvllat collstricted to compel tlle car in passiin;` to operate the levers 39, 39. 'llle levers f-lll. 39 arc connected by lneans of a, c: ble l() lvitll bellsl ll il-l. The bells Lll` ll serve as a signal il'ol' the elevator operator to notity llinl lvllen the car llas passed trein ille plattorlll and llas started ill tile run dolvn tlle chute Yl, thus operating` as a safety de vice.

rl`lle elevator platlornls each provided vl'itll gate bars l2, lvlliell are opened to receive the ar and closed alter the saine is interposed on tllc plat'liornl. llacll ot the gates ill-2 is provided vvitll a strong' spring` lil. The sprinc" ft2-l bea :,lgainst tllc side et the car lo give the sanlc a thrust outaal'd7 to start tllelll on the dolvnlvard track through the chute ffl. rIlle cars are held from being` ejected by tlle springs -l-, by a pill del. The pin ill is extended upward by nleans ot a spiral springe- The springl is nlounted in a llracltet guide Lt6. Qllle pin L lll is provided lvitll an outward extension de?, arranged to be inlpinged upon by a down lvardly e.;tended shelf 48, When and as the plat'liornl is lifted to tlle level et the tloor lll of the chute. lVllen the ein llil is Withf press the car over the dra vvll, tllc springs flo tlle saine on its dolvlr platl'orln and stal lv a rd ourney.

The ope'ation ol" the device is as tellolvs: The ears being` started down tlle clulte 13 ilroln tlle starting` point 3;, the castel: lrlleels ill, 2l run substantially straight on tlle tloor 14. As tlle chute is transversel)l inclined, the oar is carried. aioail'lst the one or other ot' the vertici l sides oli the cllnteV lliccording as tile plates 28, 2S are allanflcd the rings 25 or 2G are brought in trirtiollal or rolling` contact With tile said. platt all-ll tlle side ot the chute. This arrangement results in a rapid or slolv gryl'ation et tlle cars., and ill a direction according" lvitll tlle side, ot the chute lvitll lvllicll the contact is ula le. it vill be seen that an amusing' confusion olf the lllasseng'ers is tllus imparted as the various swirling actions are produced. 'l` lis confusion is augmented by tlle scenery through lvllicll tlle passenger is at the nloulent passing'. lit is during the glf'rations tllns produced that the various anlusclnellt devices QS), Q9 are actuatec7 tending' to stal'- tle or render lllol'e vivid tlle confusion or surprise.

llrlleu the :ar in its descent passes over ay section Wllercin are provided tl ridges l5 and the inclined sides lo, tllc lvlleels 2l are c: nggllt by tlle apen ell) ot the various ridges and tlm-elly straightened or nlade to contorni lvitll the narr vlv sections llly lvllicll beconle a traclli over vvllicll the lvlleelsv :3froll.

les sllolvn in lilo: l ol tlle dralvine's` llo patll or chute l alternately disposed to tlle outer air and to bridge seeming; rllasllll or pass over nlountaill pealrs. )liso to travel` tllroupjll subterranean passages or tunnels' wherein is ilnparted a series oit gyratiolrl to prickly illuminate alld darken scenes therein.

llvllen in the coarse oil the operation the passenger arrives at the lower stage ot the cllulc tlle car is brought betlveen tlle b alzcs 5t). 5l) and arrester. rlflle brl kes 50, 5() are actuated llv springs 5l, 5l to buite but llold tlle car. Fronl this point tlle car is re eased by nlealls o a handle 52 operated by ille al tendant.

llavillg' tllus descli'ibed nly invention` what l clailn as neuv and desire to secure by ,lietitcls latent isz i. An alnusenl'e-lnt apparatus, comprising all inclined boXAlike chute having vertical sides, a plurality of sections inclined trans versely and sections level tlansversely7 said sections being` interspersed; a car cylindrical in shape and laying vertically arranged sides; a plurality of short `tender plates extended inward from said sides to ilnpingje "upon the passing` car to gyrate tlle saine;

and carrying devices for said car.

3. An amusement apparatus7 comprising` an inclined box-like chute having' vertical sides. a plurality otsections inclined transversely and sections level transversely, sections being` interspersed; a car cylindrical in shape and having vertically arrangedl sides; a plurality et tender rings mounted on said car and extended trom the side thereo't; certain ot said ring being' loosely mounted on said car; and carrying devices for said car.

et. An amusement apparatus; comprising an inclined box-like chute having vertical sides. a plurality ot' sections inclined transversely and sections level transversely, said sections being interspersed; a car cylindrical in shape and having vertically arranged sides; a plurality ot tender rings extended trom the sides ot said car; a plurality ol' short tender plates extended inivard trom said sides to impinge upon the passing' car to gyrate the same. said plates being' dis posed in the path ot said rings; and carrying devices ttor said car.

5. )in amusement apparatus, comprising an inclined box-like chute having vertical sides. a plurality ot sections inclined trans verse y and sections level transversely; said settions being' interspersed; a ear cylindrical in shape and having vertically arranged sides; a plurality of tender rings extended troin the sides ot said car; a plurality et short tender plates extended inivard from said sides to impinge upon the passing' car to f i'yrate the same, said plates being' disposed in the path ot said rings; and a plurality ot caster carrying yvhcels mounted on said car adapted to tolloyv thc motion ot said car independent ot the track of travel.

(S. jin amusement apparatus, comprising an inclined box-like chute having' vertical sin/es. a plurality ot sections inclined transversetv and sections level transversely7 said sections being interspersed; a car cylindrical in shape and having' vertically arranged sides; a plurality ot tender rings extended from the sides ot said car; a plurality of short tender plates extended inivard from said sides to impinge upon the passing car to gyrate the saine; said plates being disposed in the path ot said rings; a plurality of caster Wheels mounted on said car to carry the same; and a plurality of straighttraclr sections arranged on the bottom ot said chute to control the movement of said Wheels.

7. n amusement apparatus, comprising an inclined box-like chute having vertical sides. plurality ot' sections inclined transversely and sections level transversely', said sections being interspersed; a car cylindrical in shape and having vertically arranged sides; a, plurality of fender rings extended from the sides ot said car; a plurality ot' short fender plates extended inivard from said sides to impinge upon the passing' car to gyrate the same; said plates being disposed in the path ot said rings; a plurality of caster Wheels mounted on said car to carry the same; and means tor intermittently controlling the said Wheels to track in a path parallel ivith the extension of said chute.

S. An amusement apparat-us; comprising an inclined box-like chute having vertical sides, a, plurality ot sections inclined trans- .f'ersely and sections level transversely, said sections being interspersed; a car cylindrical in shape and having vertically arranged sides; a plurality of tender rings extended trom the sides oi" said car; a plurality ot short tender plates extended inward from said sides to impinge upon the passing car to gyrate the same; said plates being disposed in the path ot' said rings; a plurality of caster Wheels mounted on said car to carry the same; and a plurality of ridges disposed at intervals at the bottom of said chute, and arranged to compel the said Wheels to track in paths parallel With the extension of said chute.

9. An amusement apparatus, comprising a cylindrical car-having a plurality of lixed tender rings; a plurality of fender rings loosely mounted on said car; and rolling bea rings for said second mentioned rings.

ln testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of tivo subscribing Witnesses.

ERNEST KHLER.

litnesses lllir. HAuMoND, Jr., Ina V. sirens. 

